Method for making light emitting diode

ABSTRACT

A method for making light emitting diode includes following steps. A substrate is provided. A first semiconductor layer is grown on a surface of the substrate. A patterned mask layer is located on a surface of the first semiconductor layer, and the patterned mask layer includes a number of bar-shaped protruding structures, a slot is defined between each two adjacent protruding structures to expose a portion of the first semiconductor layer. The exposed first semiconductor layer is etched to form a protruding pair. A number of three-dimensional nano-structures are formed by removing the patterned mask layer. An active layer and a second semiconductor layers are grown on the number of three-dimensional nano-structures in that order. A first electrode is electrically connected with the first semiconductor layer. A second electrode is located to cover the entire surface of the second semiconductor layer which is away from the active layer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims all benefits accruing under 35 U.S.C. §119 from China Patent Application No. 201110395469.6, filed on Dec. 03, 2011 in the China Intellectual Property Office, disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. This application is related to applications entitled, “LIGHT EMITTING DIODE”, filed on May 23, 2012, Ser. No. 13/479,223; “LIGHT EMITTING DIODE”, filed on May 23, 2012, Ser. No. 13/479,225; “LIGHT EMITTING DIODE”, filed on May 23, 2012, Ser. No. 13/479,227; “LIGHT EMITTING DIODE”, filed on May 23, 2012, Ser. No. 13/479,230; “METHOD FOR MAKING LIGHT EMITTING DIODE”, filed on May 23, 2012, Ser. No. 13/479,232; “LIGHT EMITTING DIODE”, filed on May 23, 2012, Ser. No. 13/479,233; “METHOD FOR MAKING LIGHT EMITTING DIODE”, filed on May 23, 2012, Ser. No. 13/479,234; “LIGHT EMITTING DIODE”, filed on May 23, 2012, Ser. No. 13/477,273.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a light emitting diode (LED) and the method for making the same.

2. Description of the Related Art

LEDs are semiconductors that convert electrical energy into light. Compared to conventional light sources, the LEDs have higher energy conversion efficiency, higher radiance (i.e., they emit a larger quantity of light per unit area), longer lifetime, higher response speed, and better reliability. LEDs also generate less heat. Therefore, LED modules are widely used as light sources in optical imaging systems, such as displays, projectors, and so on.

A LED commonly includes an N-type semiconductor layer, a P-type semiconductor layer, an active layer, an N-type electrode, and a P-type electrode. The active layer is located between the N-type semiconductor layer and the P-type semiconductor layer. The P-type electrode is located on the P-type semiconductor layer. The N-type electrode is located on the N-type semiconductor layer. Typically, the P-type electrode is transparent. In operation, a positive voltage and a negative voltage are applied respectively to the P-type semiconductor layer and the N-type semiconductor layer. Thus, holes in the P-type semiconductor layer and photons in the N-type semiconductor layer can enter the active layer and combine with each other to emit visible light.

However, the extraction efficiency of LEDs is low because the contact area between the N-type semiconductor layer and the active layer is not large enough in the typical LED. Thus the electron-hole recombination density is low, and the photons in the LED are sparse, thereby degrading the extraction efficiency.

What is needed, therefore, is a light emitting diode and a method for making the same, which can overcome the above-described shortcomings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the embodiments can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the embodiments. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of one embodiment of an LED.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of one embodiment of a three-dimensional nano-structures array in the LED of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a scanning electron microscope (SEM) image of the three-dimensional nano-structures array of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 shows cross-sectional view along a line IV-IV of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of a method for making an LED.

FIG. 6 illustrates of one embodiment of forming a three-dimensional array in the method of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of another embodiment of an LED.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of the active layer of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 illustrates of one embodiment of a method for making an LED of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean at least one.

Referring to FIG. 1, an LED 10 includes a substrate 100, a first semiconductor layer 110, an active layer 120, a second semiconductor layer 130, a first electrode 112, a second electrode 132, and a plurality of three-dimensional nano-structures 113. The first semiconductor layer 110 includes a first surface and the second surface opposite to the first surface. The substrate 100 is connected with the first surface of the first semiconductor layer 110. The surface of the substrate 100 which is away from the first semiconductor layer 110 is configured as the light emitting surface of the LED 10. The active layer 120 and the second semiconductor layer 130 are stacked on the first surface of the first semiconductor layer 110, and in that order. The first electrode 112 electrically connects with the first semiconductor layer 110, and the second electrode 132 covers entire surface of the second semiconductor layer 130 away form the active layer 120. The plurality of three-dimensional nano-structures 113 is formed on the second surface of the first semiconductor layer 110.

The substrate 100 can be made of a transparent material and adapted to support the first semiconductor layer 110. A shape or a size of the substrate 100 is determined according to need. The substrate 100 includes an epitaxial growth surface 101 (see FIG. 5) which is used to grow the first semiconductor layer 110. The epitaxial growth surface 101 is a clean and smooth surface. The substrate 100 can be a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure. If the substrate 100 is a single-layer structure, the substrate 100 can be a single crystal structure having a crystal face used as the epitaxial growth surface 101. If the substrate 100 is a multi-layer structure, the substrate 100 should include at least one layer having the crystal face. The material of the substrate 100 can be GaAs, GaN, AlN, Si, SOI, SiC, MgO, ZnO, LiGaO₂, LiAlO₂, or Al₂O₃. The material of the substrate 100 can be selected according to the material of the first semiconductor layer 110. The first semiconductor layer 110 and the substrate 100 should have a small crystal lattice mismatch and a thermal expansion mismatch. The size, thickness, and shape of the substrate 100 can be selected according to need. In one embodiment, the substrate 100 is a sapphire substrate with a thickness of about 40 nm.

The first semiconductor layer 110 is formed on the epitaxial growth surface 101. The first semiconductor layer 110 is an N-type semiconductor or a P-type semiconductor. The material of the N-type semiconductor can include N-type gallium nitride, N-type gallium arsenide, or N-type copper phosphate. The material of the P-type semiconductor can include P-type gallium nitride, P-type gallium arsenide, or P-type copper phosphate. The N-type semiconductor is configured to provide photons, and the P-type semiconductor is configured to provide holes. The thickness of the first semiconductor layer 110 ranges from about 1 μm to about 5 μm. In one embodiment, the first semiconductor layer 110 is an N-type gallium nitride doped with Si. The first semiconductor layer 110 includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The first surface is contacting the substrate 100. The second surface includes a first region and a second region based on their function. The first region is used to locate the active layer 120 and the second semiconductor layer 130, and the second region is used to locate the first electrode 112.

In one embodiment, a buffer layer (not shown) can be sandwiched between the substrate 100 and the first semiconductor layer 110. Because the first semiconductor layer 110 and the substrate 100 have different lattice constants, the buffer layer is used to reduce the lattice mismatch, thus the dislocation density of the first semiconductor layer 110 will decrease. The thickness of the buffer layer ranges from about 10 nanometers to about 300 nanometers, and the material of the buffer layer can be GaN or AlN.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the second surface of the first semiconductor layer 110 is a patterned surface. The first semiconductor layer 110 can be separated into a main body 110 a and a protruding part 110 b distinguished by an “interface”. The interface can be parallel with the first surface of the first semiconductor layer 110. The interface forms a surface of the main body 110 a, and the protruding part 110 b is extending away from the interface. The protruding part 110 b includes the plurality of three-dimensional nano-structures 113, and the plurality of three-dimensional nano-structures 113 form the patterned surface of the first semiconductor layer 110. The three-dimensional nano-structure 113 can be a protruding structure. The protruding structure protrudes out from the interface of the main body 110 a. The plurality of three-dimensional nano-structures 113 is a protruding structure located on the interface of the main body 110 a.

The plurality of three-dimensional nano-structures 113 can be arranged side by side. Each of the three-dimensional nano-structures 113 can extend along a straight line, a curvy line, or a polygonal line. The extending direction is substantially parallel with the surface of the first semiconductor layer 110. Two adjacent three-dimensional nano-structures are arranged in a certain interval. The distance ranges from about 0 nanometers to about 1000 nanometers, such as 10 nanometers, 30 nanometers or 200 nanometers. The extending direction of the three-dimensional nano-structure 113 can be fixed or varied. While the extending direction of the three-dimensional nano-structure 113 is fixed, the plurality of three-dimensional nano-structures 113 extends along a straight line, otherwise the three-dimensional nano-structures 113 extends along a polygonal line or a curvy line. The cross-section of the three-dimensional nano-structure 113 along the extending direction is M-shaped. Referring to FIG. 3, the three-dimensional nano-structures 113 are a plurality of bar-shaped protruding structures extending along a straight line and spaced from each other. The plurality of three-dimensional nano-structures 113 are substantially parallel with each other and extend along the same direction to form an array. The plurality of three-dimensional nano-structures 113 is substantially uniform and equidistantly distributed on the entire surface of the main body 110 a.

Referring to FIG. 3, the extending direction of the three-dimensional nano-structure 113 is defined as the X direction, and the Y direction is substantially perpendicular to the X direction and substantially parallel with the surface of the main body 110 a. The three-dimensional nano-structure 113 extends from one side of the semiconductor layer 110 to the opposite side along the X direction. The three-dimensional nano-structure 113 is a double-peak structure including two peaks. The cross-section of the double-peak structure is in the shape of an M. Each M-shaped three-dimensional nano-structure 113 includes a first peak 1132 and a second peak 1134. The first peak 1132 and the second peak 1134 extend substantially along the X direction. The first peak 1132 includes a first surface 1132 a and a second surface 1132 b. The first surface 1132 a and the second surface 1132 b intersect to form an intersection line and an included angle θ of the first peak 1132. The intersection line can be a straight line, a curvy line, or a polygonal line. The included angle θ is greater than 0 degree and smaller than 180 degrees. In one embodiment, the included angle θ ranges from about 30 degrees to about 90 degrees. The first surface 1132 a and the second surface 1132 b can be planar, curvy, or wrinkly. In one embodiment, the first surface 1132 a and the second surface 1132 b are planar. The first surface 1132 a is intersected with the surface of the main body 110 a at an angle α. The angle α is greater than 0 degrees and less than or equal to 90 degrees. In one embodiment, the angle α is greater than 80 degrees and less than 90 degrees. The first surface 1132 a includes a side connected to the surface of the substrate 100, and extends away from the main body 110 a to intersect with the second surface 1132 b. The second surface 1132 b includes a side connected with the second peak 1134 and extends away from the main body 110 a at an angle β. The angle β is greater than 0 degrees and smaller than 90 degrees.

The second peak 1134 includes a third surface 1134 a and a fourth surface 1134 b. The structure of the second peak 1134 is substantially the same as that of the first peak 1132. The third surface 1134 a and the fourth surface 1134 b intersect with each other to form the included angle of the second peak 1134. The third surface 1134 a includes a side intersected with the surface of the main body 110 a, and extends away from the main body 110 a to intersect with the fourth surface 1134 b. The fourth surface 1134 b includes a side intersected with the third surface 1134 a to form the included angle of the second peak 1134, and extends to intersect with the second surface 1132 b of the first peak 1132 to define a first groove 1136. A second groove 1138 is defined between two adjacent three-dimensional nano-structures 113. The second groove 1138 is defined by the third surface 1134 a of the second peak 1134 and the first surface 1132 a of the first peak 1132 of the adjacent three-dimensional nano-structure 113.

The first peak 1132 and the second peak 1134 protrude out of the main body 110 a. The height of the first peak 1132 and the second peak 1134 is arbitrary and can be selected according to need. In one embodiment, both the height of the first peak 1132 and that of the second peak 1134 range from about 150 nanometers to about 200 nanometers respectively. The height of the first peak 1132 can be substantially equal to that of the second peak 1134. Both the first peak 1132 and the second peak 1134 have the highest points. The highest point of the first peak 1132 and the second peak 1134 is defined as the farthest point away from the surface of the main body 110 a. In one three-dimensional nano-structure 113, the highest point of the first peak 1132 is spaced from that of the second peak 1134 a certain distance ranging from about 20 nanometers to about 100 nanometers. The first peak 1132 and the second peak 1134 extend substantially along the X direction. The cross-section of the first peak 1132 and the second peak 1134 can be a trapezoid or a triangle, and the shape of the first peak 1132 and the second peak 1134 can be substantially the same. In one embodiment, the cross-section of the first peak 1132 and the second peak 1134 is in the shape of a triangle. The first peak 1132 and the second peak 1132 form the double-peak structure. In one embodiment, the first peak 1132, the second peak 1134, and the main body 110 a form an integrated structure. Because of the limitation of the technology, the first surface 1132 a and the second surface 1132 b can not be absolutely planar.

In each M-shaped three-dimensional nano-structure 113, the first peak 1132 and the second peak 1134 define the first groove 1136. The extending direction of the first groove 1136 is substantially the same as the extending direction of the first peak 1132 and the second peak 1134. The cross-section of the first groove 1136 is V-shaped. The depth h₁ of the first groove 1136 in different three-dimensional nano-structures 113 is substantially the same. The depth h₁ is defined as the distance between the highest point of the first peak 1132 and the bottom of the first groove 1136. The depth of the first groove 1136 is less than the height of the first peak 1132 and the second peak 1134.

The second groove 1138 extends substantially along the extending direction of the three-dimensional nano-structures 113. The cross-section of the second groove 1138 is V-shaped or an inverse trapezium. Along the extending direction, the cross-section of the second groove 1138 is substantially the same. The depth h₂ of the second grooves 1138 between each two adjacent three-dimensional nano-structures 113 is substantially the same. The depth h₂ is defined as the distance between the highest point and the bottom of the second groove 1138. The depth of the second groove 1138 is greater than that of the first groove 1136, and the ratio between h₁ and h₂ ranges from about 1:1.2 to about 1:3 (1:1.2≦h₁:h₂≦1:3). The depth of the first groove 1136 ranges from about 30 nanometers to about 120 nanometers, and the depth of the second groove 1138 ranges from about 90 nanometers to about 200 nanometers. In one embodiment, the depth of the first groove 1136 is about 80 nanometers, and the depth of the second groove 1138 is about 180 nanometers. The depth of the first groove 1136 and the second groove 1138 can be selected according to need.

The width of the three-dimensional nano-structure 113 ranges from about 100 nanometers to about 200 nanometers. The width of the three-dimensional nano-structure 113 is defined as the maximum span of the three-dimensional nano-structure 113 along the Y direction. And this span is gradually decreased along the direction away from the substrate 100. Thus in each three-dimensional nano-structure 113, the distance between the highest point of the first peak 1132 and that of the second peak 1134 is less than the width of the three-dimensional nano-structure 113. The plurality of three-dimensional nano-structures 113 can be distributed in a certain interval, and the interval can be substantially the same. The second groove 1138 is defined between two intervals. The distance λ₀ between the two adjacent three-dimensional nano-structures 120 ranges from about 0 nanometers to about 200 nanometers. The distance between each two adjacent three-dimensional nano-structures 120 can be substantially the same. The distance λ₀ can be increased with the increase of the height of the first peak 1132 and the second peak 1134, and decreased with the reduction of them. In the Y direction, the distance λ₀ can be increased, decreased, or periodical varied. If the distance λ₀=0, the cross-section of the second groove 1138 is V-shaped. If the distance λ₀>0, the cross-section of the second groove 1138 is in the shape of an inverse trapezium.

Along the Y direction, the plurality of three-dimensional nano-structures 113 is distributed in a certain period P. One period P is defined as the width λ, of the three-dimensional nano-structures 113 plus the distance λ₀. The period P of the plurality of three-dimensional nano-structures 113 can range from about 100 nanometers to about 500 nanometers. The period P, the width λ, and the distance λ₀ satisfy the following formula: P=λ+λ₀. The period P, the width λ, and the distance λ₀ is measured in nanometers. The period P can be a constant, and λ₀ or λ can be a dependent variable. Furthermore, one part of the three-dimensional nano-structures 113 can be aligned in a first period, and another part of the three-dimensional nano-structures 113 can be aligned in a second period. In one embodiment, the period P is about 200 nanometers, the width λ is about 190 nanometers, and the distance λ₀ is about 10 nanometers.

The active layer 120 is located on the first region of the second surface of the first semiconductor layer 110. In one embodiment, the active layer 120 covers the entire surface of the first region. The active layer 120 is engaged with the first semiconductor layer 110. In detail, the active layer 120 covers the plurality of three-dimensional nano-structures 113, and the surface of the active layer 120 connected with the first semiconductor layer 110 forms a patterned surface. The active layer 120 also includes a plurality of grooves and peaks, the grooves being engaged with the first peaks 1132 and second peaks 1134, the peaks being engaged with the first grooves 1136 and second grooves 1138. The active layer 120 is a photon excitation layer and can be one of a single layer quantum well film or multilayer quantum well films. The active layer 120 is made of GaInN, AlGaInN, GaSn, AlGaSn, GalnP, or GalnSn. In one embodiment, the active layer 120 has a thickness of about 0.3 μm and includes one layer of GaInN and another layer of GaN. The GaInN layer is stacked with the GaN layer.

The second semiconductor layer 130 is located on the active layer 120. The surface of the second semiconductor layer 130 which is away from the active layer 120 is configured as the light emitting surface of the LED 10. In one embodiment, the second semiconductor layer 130 covers the entire surface of the active layer 120. The thickness of the second semiconductor layer 130 ranges from about 0.1 μm to about 3 μm. The second semiconductor layer 130 can be an N-type semiconductor layer or a P-type semiconductor layer. Furthermore, the type of the second semiconductor layer 130 is different from the type of the first semiconductor layer 110. A surface of the second semiconductor layer 130 is used as a light emitting surface of the LED 10. In one embodiment the second semiconductor layer 130 is a P-type gallium nitride doped with Mg.

The first electrode 112 is electrically connected with the first semiconductor layer 110 and spaced from the active layer 120. The first electrode 112 covers at least part of the surface of the second region. The first electrode 112 is a single layer structure or a multi-layer structure. The first electrode 112 can be an N-type electrode or a P-type electrode depending on the first semiconductor layer 110. The material of the first electrode 112 can be Ti, Ag, Al, Ni, Au, or any combination of them. The material of the first electrode 112 can also be indium-tin oxide (ITO) or carbon nanotube film. In one embodiment, the first electrode 112 is a two-layer structure of a Ti layer about 15 nm thick and an Au layer about 100 nm thick.

The second electrode 132 can be an N-type electrode or P-type electrode. The second electrode 132 covers the entire surface of the second semiconductor layer 130 away from the active layer 120. Thus the conduction current can be diffused and the heat produced in the LED 10 can be reduced. The second electrode 132 is used as a reflector to reflect the photons. The type of the second electrode 132 is the same as the second semiconductor layer 130. The shape of the second electrode 132 is arbitrary and can be selected according to need. The material of the second electrode 132 can be Ti, Ag, Al, Ni, Au or any combination of them.

Furthermore, a reflector layer (not shown) can be located on the surface of second semiconductor layer 130 away from the active layer 120. The material of the reflector can be Ti, Ag, Al, Ni, Au, or any combination thereof. The reflector includes a smooth surface having a high reflectivity. The photons reach the reflector and will be reflected by the reflector, thus these photons can be extracted out of the LED 10 to improve the light extraction efficiency of the LED 10.

The first semiconductor layer 110 includes a plurality of three-dimensional nano-structures to form a patterned surface, and the active layer 120 is located on the patterned surface, thus the contact area between the first semiconductor layer 110 and the active layer 120 is enlarged. The electron-hole recombination density is improved, and the quantity of photons is increased. The light extraction efficiency of the LED 10 can be improved.

Referring to FIG. 5, one embodiment of a method for making the LED 10 includes the following steps:

S11, providing a substrate 100 with a epitaxial growth surface 101;

S12, growing a first semiconductor layer 110 on the epitaxial growth surface 101;

S13, forming a plurality of three-dimensional nano-structures 113 on the first semiconductor layer 110;

S14, growing an active layer 120 and a second semiconductor layer 130 on the surface of the plurality of three-dimensional nano-structures 113 in that order;

S15, applying a first electrode 112 electrically connected to the first semiconductor layer 110; and

S16, locating a second electrode 132 covering the entire surface of the second semiconductor layer 130 away from the active layer 120.

In step S11, the material of the substrate 100 can be selected according to the material of the first semiconductor layer 110. The first semiconductor layer 110 and the substrate 100 should have a small crystal lattice mismatch and a thermal expansion mismatch. The size, thickness, and shape of the substrate 100 can be selected according to need. In one embodiment, the substrate 100 is a sapphire substrate.

In step S12, the first semiconductor layer 110 can be grown via a process of molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), chemical beam epitaxy (CBE), vacuum epitaxy, low temperature epitaxy, choose epitaxy, liquid phase deposition epitaxy (LPE), metal organic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE), ultra-high vacuum chemical vapor deposition (UHVCVD), hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HYPE), and metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD).

In one embodiment, the first semiconductor layer 110 is Si-doped N-type GaN made by a MOCVD method, and the growth of the first semiconductor layer 110 is a heteroepitaxial growth. In the MOCVD method, the nitrogen source gas is high-purity ammonia (NH₃), the carrier gas is hydrogen (H₂), the Ga source gas is trimethyl gallium (TMGa) or triethyl gallium (TEGa), and the Si source gas is silane (SiH₄). The growth of the first semiconductor layer 110 includes the following steps:

S121, placing the substrate 100 with the first carbon nanotube layer 110 thereon into a reaction chamber and heating the substrate 100 to about 1100° C. to about 1200° C., introducing the carrier gas, and baking the substrate 100 for about 200 seconds to about 1000 seconds;

S122, growing the low-temperature GaN layer by reducing the temperature to a range from about 500° C. to 650° C. in the carrier gas atmosphere, and introducing the Ga source gas and the nitrogen source gas at the same time;

S123, stopping the flow of the Ga source gas in the carrier gas and nitrogen source gas atmosphere, increasing the temperature to a range from about 1100° C. to about 1200° C., and maintaining the temperature for about 30 seconds to about 300 seconds;

S124, growing the high quality first semiconductor layer 110 by maintaining the temperature of the substrate 100 in a range from about 1000° C. to about 1100° C., and introducing the Ga source gas again and the Si source gas.

In step S122, the low-temperature GaN is used as a buffer layer (not shown) to grow the first semiconductor layer 110. The thickness of the buffer layer is less than the thickness of the first carbon nanotube layer 110. Because the first semiconductor layer 110 and the substrate 100 have different lattice constants, the buffer layer is used to reduce the lattice mismatch during the growth process, thus the dislocation density of the first semiconductor layer 110 will be decreased.

Also referring to FIG. 6, in step S13, the plurality of three-dimensional nano-structures 113 can be formed by following substeps:

S131, locating a mask layer 103 on a surface of the first semiconductor layer 110;

S132, patterning the mask layer 103 by an imprinting and etching method;

S133, forming a plurality of three-dimensional nano-structure preforms 1131 by etching the first semiconductor layer 110;

S134, forming the plurality of three-dimensional nano-structures 113 by removing the mask layer 103.

In step S131, the mask layer 103 can be a single layered structure or a multi-layered structure. The thickness of the mask layer 103 can be selected according to need, such as the etching depth or the etching atmosphere. Hereafter the high precision of the pattern formed in the mask layer 103 can be achieved. The mask layer 103 is a single layered structure, and the material of the mask layer 103 can be ZEP520A which is developed by Zeon Corp of Japan, HSQ (hydrogen silsesquioxane), PMMA (Polymethylmethacrylate), PS (Polystyrene), SOG (silicon on glass) and other silitriangle oligomers. The mask layer 103 is used to protect a portion of the first semiconductor layer 110.

In one embodiment, the mask layer 103 is a multi-layered structure. The mask layer 103 includes a first mask layer 1032 and a second mask layer 1034 stacked on the first semiconductor layer 110 in that order, with the second mask layer 1034 covering the first mask layer 1032. The first mask layer 1032 and the second mask layer 1034 can be selected according to need. The material of the first mask layer 1032 can be ZEP520A, PMMA, PS, SAL601, or ARZ720. The material of the second mask layer 1034 can be HSQ, SOG, or other silitriangle oligomers. The second mask layer 1034 can be printed by a mechanical method to ensure the precision of the mask layer 103. In one embodiment, the material of the first mask layer 1032 is ZEP520A, and that of the second mask layer 1034 is HSQ. The first mask layer 1032 and the second mask layer 1034 can be formed by a screen printing method or a deposition method.

The step S131 includes sub-steps of:

S131 a, forming the first mask layer 1032; and

S131 b, forming the second mask layer 1034.

In the step S131 a, the first mask layer 1032 is formed by the following steps. First, the first semiconductor layer 110 is cleaned in a clean room. Second, a layer of positive electron-beam resist can be spin-coated on the first semiconductor layer 110 at a speed of about 500 rounds per minute to about 6000 rounds per minute, for about 0.5 minutes to about 1.5 minutes. The positive electron-beam resist can be ZEP520A. Third, the first semiconductor layer 110 with the positive electron-beam resist can be dried at a temperature of about 140 degrees centigrade to 180 degrees centigrade, for about 3 minutes to about 5 minutes, thereby forming the first mask layer 1032 on the first semiconductor layer 110. The thickness of the first mask layer 1032 can be in a range of about 100 nanometers to about 500 nanometers.

In the step S131 b, the mask layer 1034 can be a layer of HSQ resist. The HSQ resist is spin-coated on the first mask layer 1032 under high pressure at a speed of about 2500 rounds per minute to about 7000 rounds per minute, for about 0.5 minutes to about 2 minutes. The thickness of the second mask layer 1032 can range from about 100 nanometers to about 300 nanometers. The HSQ can be pressed to be deformed at room temperature. Moreover, the HSQ has good structural stability and provides a high resolution, often better than 10 nm.

Furthermore, a transition layer (not shown) can be deposited on the first mask layer 1032 before the step of forming the second mask layer 1034. In one embodiment, the transition layer can be a glassy silicon dioxide film with a thickness of about 10 nanometers to about 100 nanometers. The transition layer is used to protect the first mask layer 1032 during nanoimprinting the second mask layer 1034.

In step S132, the mask layer 103 can be patterned by the following method:

(a), providing a patterned template 200;

(b), attaching the template 200 on the second mask layer 1034, imprinting the template 200 to form a plurality of slots, and removing the template 200;

(c), removing the residual second mask layer 1034 in the bottom of the slot to expose the first mask layer 1032; and

(d), patterning the mask layer 103 by removing one part of the first mask layer 1032 corresponding with the slots.

In step (a), the template 200 can be made of rigid materials, such as nickel, silicon, and carbon dioxide. The template 200 can also be made of flexible materials, such as PET, PMMA, PS, and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The template 200 can be fabricated through an electron beam lithography method with the nano-pattern formed therein. The template 200 includes a plurality of protruding structures. The protruding structures are substantially parallel with each other and spaced from each other to form an array, concentric circles, or concentric rectangles. A slot is defined between the two adjacent protruding structures. The protruding structures form the nano-pattern of the template 200. The nano-pattern can be designed according to the actual application. In one embodiment, the protruding structures are plurality of protruding structures extending substantially along the same direction, and one slot is defined between the adjacent two bar-shape structures. The width of the protruding structure and that of the slot can be the same. In one embodiment, both the width of the protruding structure and that of the slot range from about 50 nanometers to about 200 nanometers.

In step (b), the template 200 is then pressed towards the substrate 100 at room temperature. During this process, the protruding structures are pressed into the second mask layer 1034 to form a plurality of slots in the second mask layer 1034, and some materials of the second mask layer 1034 remaining at the bottom of the slot. Finally, the template 200 is removed with the nano-pattern remaining in the second mask layer 1034. The nano-pattern of the second mask layer 1034 includes a plurality of second protruding structures and a plurality of slots. The protruding structures in the second mask layer 1034 correspond to the slots in the template 200. The slots in the second mask layer 1034 correspond to the protruding structures in the template 200.

In one embodiment, the template 200 is pressed in a vacuum environment of about 1×10⁻¹ millibars to about 1×10⁻⁵ millibars. The pressure applied on the template 200 is about 2 pounds per square foot to about 100 pounds per square foot. The pressure is applied on the template 200 for about 2 minutes to about 30 minutes. There may be material of the second mask layer 1034 remaining at the bottom of the slots.

In step (c), the residual material of the second mask layer 1034 at the bottom of the slots can be removed by plasma etching. In one embodiment, a CF₄ reactive plasma etching method can be used to remove the remaining material of the second mask layer 1034 at the bottom of the slots. For example, the first semiconductor layer 110 with the protruding structures and the slots formed in the second mask layer 1034 can be placed in a CF₄ reactive plasma etching system. The CF₄ reactive plasma etching system generates CF₄ plasma, and the CF₄ plasma then moves towards the second mask layer 1034. The remaining material of the second mask layer 1034 at the bottom of the slots will be etched away so that the first mask layer 1032 corresponding to the slots will be exposed. The width of the top of the protruding structures in the second mask layer 1034 is decreased during the etching process, but the nano-pattern in the second mask layer 1034 will be maintained.

In step (d), the first mask layer 1032 exposed from the slots can be removed by oxygen plasma etching. For example, the first semiconductor layer 110 after being treated by step (d) can be placed in an oxygen plasma etching system. The power of the oxygen plasma etching system can range from about 10 watts to about 150 watts. The speed of the oxygen plasma can range from about 2 sccm to about 100 sccm. The partial pressure of the oxygen plasma can range from about 0.5 Pa to about 15 Pa. The etching time can range from about 5 seconds to about 1 minute. During the process of etching the first mask layer 1032, the first mask layer 1032 exposed by the slots will be removed, and the first semiconductor layer 110 corresponding to the slots will be exposed. The protruding structures in the second mask layer 1034 function as a mask to the oxygen plasma to ensure the resolution of the first mask layer 1032.

During the etching process, the pattern in the second mask layer 1034 will be copied onto the first mask layer 1032 to form a patterned mask layer 103. The patterned mask layer 103 includes a plurality of protruding structures 1031 on the surface of the first semiconductor layer 110. Each protruding structure 1031 includes the first mask layer 1032 and the second mask layer 1034 stacked together. A slot 1033 is defined between each two adjacent protruding structures 1031, and the surface of the first semiconductor layer 110 corresponding to the slot 1033 is exposed. During the process of etching the first mask layer 1032, the top of the protruding structures of the second mask layer 1034 will also be partly etched. But the etching speed to the second mask layer 1034 is much lower than that of the first mask layer 1032, and the nano-pattern in the second mask layer 1034 can still be maintained. Thus, the resolution of the mask layer 103 can be improved.

In step S133, the first semiconductor layer 110 after step S132 can be placed in an inductively coupled plasma device to etch the first semiconductor layer 110 exposed by the mask layer 103. The etching gas can be selected according to the material of the first semiconductor layer 110 and the mask layer 103. During the etching process, the surface of the first semiconductor layer 110 exposed by the slots 1033 of the mask layer 103 will be etched, thereby forming a plurality of grooves in the first semiconductor layer 110.

The etching process of the first semiconductor layer 110 includes the following stages:

first stage, forming a plurality of grooves with substantially the same depth by etching the surface of the first semiconductor layer 110 with etching gas;

second stage, continuing the etching process so that every two adjacent protruding structures 1031 begin to slant face to face to form a protruding pair; and

third stage, continuing the etching process so that the two adjacent protruding structures 1031 gradually slant until the top of the two adjacent protruding structures 1031 contact each other.

In the first stage, the etching gas etches the exposed surface of the first semiconductor layer 110 to form a plurality of grooves. The grooves have substantially the same depth because the etching speed is substantially the same.

In the second stage, during the etching process, the etching gas will react with the first semiconductor layer 110 to form a protective layer. The protective layer will reduce the etching speed to the first semiconductor layer 110, and the width of the grooves will slowly decrease from the outer surface to the bottom of the grooves. Thus, the inner wall of the grooves will not be absolutely perpendicular to the surface of the first semiconductor layer 110, but form an angle. Furthermore, the etching does not only etch the first semiconductor layer 110, but also etch the top of the protruding structures 1031. The width of the top of the protruding structures 1031 will be decreased. The resolution of the mask layer 103 will not be affected because the etching speed of the top of the protruding structures 1031 is far smaller than that of the first semiconductor layer 110. Furthermore, every two adjacent protruding structures 1031 will slant face to face.

In the third stage, the top of the structures of the two adjacent protruding structures 1031 will gradually approach each other. The etching speed of the first semiconductor layer 110 corresponding to these two adjacent protruding structures 1031 will decrease, and the width of the grooves will gradually decrease from the outer surface to the bottom of the grooves. Because the two adjacent protruding structures 1031 slant face to face to form a protruding pair, the etching speed of the first semiconductor layer 110 corresponding to the protruding pair will further decrease. Eventually, the top of the two adjacent protruding structures 1031 will be contacting each other, and the etching gas can no longer etch the first semiconductor layer 110 corresponding to the two adjacent protruding structures 1031. Thus, the first groove 1136 is formed on the surface of the first semiconductor layer 110. But between every two protruding pairs, the etching speed will change less than that of the closed adjacent protruding structures 1031. Thus the second grooves 1138 is formed, and the depth of the second grooves 1138 will be greater than that of the first grooves 1136. The plurality of three-dimensional nano-structure preforms 1131 is then obtained on the first semiconductor layer 110.

In one embodiment, the etching gas includes Cl₂, BCl₃, O₂, and Ar. The power of the inductively coupled plasma device ranges from about 10 watts to about 100 watts, the flow speed of the etching gas ranges from about 8 sccm to about 150 sccm, the pressure of the etching gas can range from about 0.5 Pa to about 15 Pa, and the etching time can range from about 5 seconds to about 5 minutes. In the etching gas, the flow speed of the Cl₂ ranges about 2 sccm to about 60 sccm, the flow speed of the BCl₃ ranges from about 2 sccm to about 30 sccm, the flow speed of the O₂ ranges from about 3 sccm to about 40 sccm, and the flow speed of the Ar ranges from about 1 sccm to about 20 sccm. In one embodiment, the flow speed of the etching gas ranges from about 40 sccm to about 100 sccm to improve the resolution and the etching speed. In another embodiment, the power of the inductively coupled plasma device is about 70 watts, the flow speed of the etching gas is about 40 sccm, the pressure of the etching gas is about 2 Pa, and the etching time is about 2 minutes. In the etching gas, the flow speed of the Cl₂ is about 26 sccm, the flow speed of the BCl₃ is about 16 sccm, the flow speed of the O₂ is about 20 sccm, and the flow speed of the Ar is about 10 sccm.

The mask layer 103 and the etching gas are not limited. The etching gas can include only one gas or a mixture of different gases, so long as the top of the two adjacent protruding structures 1031 in the mask layer 103 can close to form the protruding pair. The flow speed of the etching gas, the pressure, the etching time, and the ratio between the different gases can be dependent upon the three-dimensional nano-structure 103.

In step S134, the mask layer 103 can be removed by dissolving in a stripping agent such as tetrahydrofuran (THF), acetone, butanone, cyclohexane, hexane, methanol, or ethanol. In one embodiment, the stripping agent is butanone, and the mask layer 103 is dissolved in butanone and separated from the first semiconductor layer 110. The plurality of three-dimensional nano-structures 113 is formed on the first semiconductor layer 110 by removing the mask layer 103. The plurality of three-dimensional nano-structures 113 and the first semiconductor layer 110 100 are integrated to an integrated structure.

The plurality of three-dimensional nano-structures 113 can also be formed by locating another dielectric layer (not shown) or a semiconductor layer (not shown) on the first semiconductor layer 110 and etching the dielectric layer. Thus the plurality of three-dimensional nano-structures 113 is located on the surface of the first semiconductor layer 110.

In step S14, the growth method of the active layer 120 is similar to the first semiconductor layer 110. In one embodiment, the indium source gas is trimethyl indium. The growth of the active layer 120 after the growth of the first semiconductor layer 110 includes the following steps:

(a1) stopping the flow of the Si source gas and maintaining the temperature of the reaction chamber in a range from about 700° C. to about 900° C., and the pressure of the reaction reaction chamber in a range from about 50 torrs to about 500 torrs; and

(a2) introducing the indium source gas and growing InGaN/GaN multilayer quantum well film to form the active layer 120.

In step (a1), the substrate 100 is located into a horizontal epitaxial growth reactor, and the active layer 120 grows via a horizontal epitaxial growth method. The growth direction of the active layer 120 can be controlled by the horizontal growth speed and the vertical growth speed. Thus the surface of the active layer 120 away from the first semiconductor layer 110 can be planar.

The second semiconductor layer 130 is grown after the growth of the active layer 120. In one embodiment, the Mg source gas is ferrocene magnesium (Cp₂Mg), and the method includes the following steps:

(b1) stopping the flow of the indium source gas and maintaining the temperature of the reaction chamber in a range from about 1000° C. to about 1100° C., and maintaining the pressure of the reaction chamber in a range from about 76 torrs to about 200 torrs; and

(b2) introducing the Mg source gas and growing P-type gallium nitride doped with Mg to form the second semiconductor layer 130.

In step S15, the first electrode 112 can be formed by the following steps:

S151, exposing a portion of the surface of the first semiconductor layer 110 by etching the second semiconductor layer 130 and the active layer 120; and

S152, locating the first electrode 112 on the exposed portion of the first semiconductor layer 110.

In step S151, the second semiconductor layer 110 and the active layer 120 can be etched via light etching, electronic etching, plasma etching, or a chemical corrosion method.

In step S152, the first electrode 112 can be formed via a process of physical vapor deposition, such as electron beam evaporation, vacuum evaporation, ion sputtering, or any physical deposition. Furthermore, the first electrode 112 can also be formed by directly attaching a conductive sheet on the exposed portion of the first semiconductor layer 110. The first electrode 112 is located on the second region and spaced from the active layer 120 and the second semiconductor layer 130.

In step S16, the method for making the second electrode 132 is the same as that of the first electrode 112. The second electrode 132 is located on the surface of the second semiconductor layer 130 away from the active layer 120. The second electrode 132 is a continuous layered-structure and covers the entire surface of the second semiconductor layer 130 to improve the vertical current density.

The method for making the LED 10 has the following advantages. First, the nano-imprinting method can be carried out at room temperature, and the template does not need pre-treatment, thus the method is simple and low in cost. Second, the plurality of M-shaped three-dimensional structures can be easily formed on the first semiconductor layer 110, and the productivity of the patterned substrate can be improved. Third, the contact surface between the active layer 120 and the first semiconductor layer 110 is increased, and the electron-hole recombination density is improved.

Referring to FIG. 7, one embodiment of an LED 20 includes a substrate 100, a first semiconductor layer 110, an active layer 120, a second semiconductor layer 130, a first electrode 112, a second electrode 132, a plurality of three-dimensional nano-structures 113, and a plurality of second three-dimensional nano-structures 123. The first semiconductor layer 110 includes a first surface and an opposite second surface. The first surface is connected with the substrate 100. The active layer 120 and the second semiconductor layer 130 are stacked on the second surface in that order. The plurality of three-dimensional nano-structures 113 is located on the second surface to form a patterned surface. The first electrode 112 is electrically connected with the first semiconductor layer 110. The second electrode 132 covers entire surface of the second semiconductor layer 130 which is away from the active layer 120. The plurality of three-dimensional nano-structures 123 is located on the surface of the active layer 120 which is away from the first semiconductor layer 110.

Referring to FIG. 8, the structure of the LED 20 is similar to that of the LED 10, except that the LED 20 further includes the plurality of second three-dimensional nano-structures 123 located on the active layer 120 away form the first semiconductor layer 110. The plurality of second three-dimensional nano-structures 123 forms a patterned surface of the active layer 120. The second three-dimensional nano-structures 123 are similar to the first three-dimensional nano-structures 113. Each second three-dimensional nano-structure 123 includes a first peak 1232, a second peak 1234, a first groove 1236 defined between the first peak 1232 and the second peak 1234, and a second groove 1238 defined between two adjacent second three-dimensional nano-structures 123. The distribution and alignment of the second three-dimensional nano-structures 123 is same to that of the first three-dimensional nano-structures 113. The second semiconductor layer 130 is located on the surface of the first three-dimensional nano-structures 113, thus the surface of the second semiconductor layer 130 near the active layer 120 forms a patterned surface.

In LED 20, the interface between the active layer and the second semiconductor layer forms the plurality of second three-dimensional nano-structures 123, thus the contact area between them is also enlarged. The electron-hole recombination density is further increased, and the light extraction efficiency of the LED 20 can be improved.

Referring to FIG. 9, one embodiment of a method for making the LED 20 includes the following steps:

S21, providing a substrate 100 having an epitaxial growth surface 101;

S22, growing a first semiconductor layer 110;

S23, forming a plurality of first three-dimensional nano-structures 113 on a surface of the semiconductor layer 110;

S24, growing an active layer 120 on the surface of the first three-dimensional nano-structures 113 in that order, and forming a plurality of second three-dimensional nano-structures 123 on the surface which is away from the first semiconductor layer 110;

S25, growing a second semiconductor layer 130 on the surface of the second thee-dimensional nano-structures 123;

S26, applying a first electrode 112 on the surface of the first semiconductor layer 110; and

S27, applying a second electrode 132 covering the entire surface of the second semiconductor layer 130 away from the active layer 120.

The method of making the LED 20 is similar to that of the LED 10, except that the plurality of second three-dimensional nano-structures 123 are formed on the surface of the active layer 120 away from the first semiconductor layer 110. The substrate 100 with the first semiconductor layer 110 is located in a vertical epitaxial growth reactor, and the active layer 120 grows by a vertical epitaxial growth method. Thus the distribution and alignment of the second three-dimensional nano-structure 123 is the same as the first three-dimensional nano-structure 113.

Depending on the embodiment, certain of the steps of methods described may be removed, others may be added, and the sequence of steps may be altered. It is also to be understood that the description and the claims drawn to a method may include some indication in reference to certain steps. However, the indication used is only to be viewed for identification purposes and not as a suggestion as to an order for the steps.

It is to be understood that the above-described embodiments are intended to illustrate rather than limit the disclosure. Variations may be made to the embodiments without departing from the spirit of the disclosure as claimed. It is understood that any element of any one embodiment is considered to be disclosed to be incorporated with any other embodiment. The above-described embodiments illustrate the scope of the disclosure but do not restrict the scope of the disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for making a light emitting diode, comprising: providing a substrate having an epitaxial growth surface and a light emitting surface opposite the epitaxial growth surface; growing a first semiconductor layer on the epitaxial growth surface of the substrate; locating a patterned mask layer on a surface of the first semiconductor layer, wherein the patterned mask layer comprises a plurality of bar-shaped protruding structures aligned side by side, and a slot is defined between each two adjacent protruding structures of the plurality of bar-shaped protruding structures to expose a portion of the first semiconductor layer; etching the exposed first semiconductor layer, wherein the each two adjacent protruding structures begin to slant face to face until they contact each other to form a protruding pair; forming a plurality of three-dimensional nano-structures by removing the patterned mask layer; growing an active layer and a second semiconductor layers on a surface of the plurality of three-dimensional nano-structures in that order; applying a first electrode electrically connected with the first semiconductor layer; and locating a second electrode to cover an entire surface of the second semiconductor layer away from the active layer.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the each two adjacent protruding structures gradually slant and tops of the each two adjacent protruding structures gradually approach each other.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein a first part of the first semiconductor layer corresponding to each of the protruding pairs is etched at a first speed, and a second part of the first semiconductor layer exposed from the each two adjacent protruding pairs is etched at a second speed, and the first speed is less than the second speed.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein a first groove is defined on the first part of the first semiconductor layer, and a second groove is defined on the second part of the first semiconductor layer.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein a depth of the first groove is less than a depth of the second groove.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the depth of the first groove ranges from about 30 nanometers to about 120 nanometers, and the depth of the second groove ranges from about 100 nanometers to about 200 nanometers.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first semiconductor layer is etched in an inductively coupled plasma device, and a power of the inductively coupled plasma device ranges from about 20 watts to about 100 watts.
 8. The method of the claim 7, wherein the substrate is etched by: etching the surface of the first semiconductor layer to form a plurality of grooves with substantially the same depth; further etching the first semiconductor layer so that the each two adjacent protruding structures begin to slant face to face; and further etching the first semiconductor layer so that the each two adjacent protruding structures gradually slant until the top of the each two adjacent protruding structures are contacting each other.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein an etching gas comprising Cl₂, BCl₃, O₂, and Ar is used in the etching process.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein a flow speed of the etching gas ranges from about 8 sccm to about 150 sccm, a pressure of the etching gas ranges from about 0.5 Pa to about 15 Pa, and an etching time ranges from about 5 seconds to about 5 minutes.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein a flow speed of the Cl₂ ranges from about 2 sccm to about 60 sccm, a flow speed of the BCl₃ ranges from about 2 sccm to about 30 sccm, a flow speed of the O₂ ranges from about 3 sccm to about 40 sccm, and a flow speed of the Ar ranges from about 1 sccm to about 20 sccm.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the patterned mask layer is formed by: placing a mask layer on the surface of the first semiconductor layer; forming a plurality of bar-shaped protruding structures aligned side by side by nanoimprinting the mask layer, wherein a slot is defined between each two adjacent protruding structures of the plurality of bar-shaped protruding structures; and exposing the substrate by etching the mask layer through the slot.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the patterned mask layer comprises a first mask layer and a second mask layer stacked on the first semiconductor layer in that order, the material of the first mask layer is different from that of the second mask layer.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the patterned mask layer is patterned by: providing a template with a plurality of protruding structures aligned side by side and extending substantially along the same direction; attaching the template on the second mask layer; pressing the template toward the second mask layer and removing the template to form a plurality of slots in the second mask layer; exposing the first mask layer by etching the second mask layer on the bottom of the slots through the slots; and exposing the first semiconductor layer by etching the exposed first mask layer.
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of three-dimensional nano-structures is periodically aligned.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein a period of the plurality of the three-dimensional nano-structures ranges from about 100 nanometers to about 500 nanometers.
 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the active layer grows on the plurality of three-dimensional nano-structures via a horizontal growth method to form a planar surface of the active layer away from the first semiconductor layer.
 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the active layer grows on the plurality of three-dimensional nano-structures via a vertical growth method to form a patterned surface of the active layer away from the first semiconductor layer.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the patterned surface of the active layer comprises a plurality of grooves and peaks.
 20. A method for making light emitting diode, comprising: providing a substrate having a epitaxial growth surface; growing a first semiconductor layer on the epitaxial growth surface; forming a plurality of three-dimensional nano-structures a surface of the first semiconductor layer, wherein each of the plurality of three-dimensional nano-structures has a first peak and a second peak aligned side by side, a first groove is defined between the first peak and the second peak, a second groove is defined between each two adjacent three-dimensional nano-structures of the plurality of three-dimensional nano-structures, and a depth of the first groove is less than a depth of the second groove; growing an active layer and a second semiconductor layer on the plurality of three-dimensional nano-structures; applying a first electrode to electrically connect with the first semiconductor layer; and applying a second electrode to cover entire surface of the second semiconductor layer which is away from the active layer. 